Carson Beck’s Miami Move Casts $6M Peril for Quinn Ewers After His Firm Stance on Texas Future

Sometimes, college football feels more like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ than a Saturday afternoon tradition. It’s all about the big bucks now, and Carson Beck just cashed in. But here’s the real kicker: Beck’s massive payday at Miami could be the ripple that sends Quinn Ewers on a path away from Burnt Orange. What’s brewing in the world of NIL deals and NFL dreams? Sit tight because this drama is just heating up.

Carson Beck’s decision to join the Miami Hurricanes ain’t just about palm trees, ocean breezes, and sin-city’s wild nightlife—it’s about all securing the bag. The former Georgia gunslinger will pocket a cool $4 million next season, more than some NFL rookies see in their bank accounts. Let that sink in for a second now.

On January 12th, Fox Sports analyst RJ Young broke it down on his podcast while comparing to some NFL year 2s starters: “Four million dollars for one year of football is significant at a place like Miami and in college football…let’s compare Beck’s situation to recent NFL Draft picks. Will Levis, a second-round pick in 2023, earns $2.35 million annually. Hendon Hooker, a third-round pick, earns $1.43 million annually.” Carson Beck making $4 million while NFL starters earning just 1 or 2 million just doesn’t sit right.

Miami’s been hungry for glory—it’s been 22 years since their last conference title. Overpaying for Beck might seem like a Hail Mary, but with the NIL landscape reshaping college football, the ‘Canes are betting big. Caleb Williams might rake in $10 million, but Beck’s payday in Coral Gables is another level of flex. Enter Quinn Ewers, the Texas Longhorns star who’s staring down a life-altering decision. The word on the street: $6 million to transfer for 1 more year of college football. That’s a fat stack—more than Bryce Young or CJ Stroud earns in base salaries as NFL rookies. But Ewers, ranked 60th in ESPN’s 2025 draft prospects, seems to have his eyes on the pros.

When asked about his future ahead of the Cotton Bowl, Ewers kept it classy: “I think I’d be doing a disservice to my teammates about me even thinking about what’s next.” Then Quinn Ewers shut down the $6 mil question, “I’m just not worried about all that stuff…People can say all they want to say.” Respect.

But let’s not kid ourselves—$6 million is a lot of cheddar and cheese. And staying in college could mean financial security while polishing his draft stock like Carson Beck. Looks like Quinn Ewers has a different plan than Carson Beck and is ready to fumble $6 million for probably $840K or $1.2 million.

Would Quinn Ewers miss out on a lot by entering the draft?

Here’s where it gets tricky. The NFL rookie pay scale doesn’t come close to these top-tier NIL deals. Bryce Young? $1 million base. Jayden Daniels? $1.5 million. Even some solid NFL backups aren’t seeing $4 million in a year. NIL has flipped the script, giving quarterbacks like Beck and Ewers a reason to stick around and dominate the college game.

But for Ewers, it’s not just about the money—it’s about the legacy. Does he want to gamble on a top draft pick and join the NFL’s elite? Or does he run it back, take the bag, and continue building his brand in the college game? Beck’s move puts pressure on Ewers to think twice, and it’s a decision that could shape the next phase of his career.

For Ewers, the clock is ticking. He’s coming off a stellar season with over 3,400 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, but the Cotton Bowl loss stung. The $6 million offer looms large, but the NFL draft is calling. Ewers has a choice: stay in the college spotlight and cash in or take his chances in the NFL. The word on the street is Quinn Ewers might enter draft anytime now.

Either way, the NIL era has turned college football into a high-stakes poker game, and guys like Beck and Ewers are holding all the cards. What’s next? That’s the million—or $6 million—question until Quinn Ewers enters the draft officially.